COLEMAN, Texas — Early on a Saturday morning, long before many people on post were awake, a group of Soldiers from the 4th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) loaded into vans and drove three hours to Coleman, Texas where more than 1,000 Boy Scouts were camping out for the weekend.

The West Texas Rendezvous and Centennial Camporee took place Apr. 23-25. Organizers of the event invited the Wrangler Brigade color guard team to attend and raise the American flag for the scouts Apr. 24. The unit also sent a firing team to impress the boys with a rifle volley.

The Wrangler team arrived an hour early to perfect their technique before the first group of scouts began to gather in a wide circle around the flagpole.

“We love to attend these civilian functions, especially for children” said Sgt. 1st Class Dawn Spradley, who is in charge of the color guard team. “They appreciate it so much. We, as Soldiers, see it so often that it becomes normal for us. But it really means a lot to be able to see it through another perspective.”

Frank Griffin, the council vice president for programs, organized the event. He has been registered with the Boy Scouts for 48 years, since he was a Cub Scout.

“We asked the Soldiers to come out today because we appreciate the Army, and all of the armed forces,” he said. “We wanted to honor the Soldiers and what they do.”

Griffin, who previously served in the Army Reserve, said that he wanted the scouts to have a chance to connect with the military, and to see a real flag detail.

“Wewant the boys to learn to respect the armed forces and also how to show proper respect for the flag,” he said. “This was a fantastic ceremony. The Soldiers really showed the boys a good example of how to properly raise the flag.”

The Camporee is an annual event in which scout troops come together to display the skills they have learned throughout the year. This year is special because they are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Boys Scouts of America.

Soldiers from the 4th Sustainment Brigade’s color guard team answer questions from local Boy Scouts Apr. 24 at the Boy Scouts Camporee event in Coleman, TX. The Wrangler Brigade Soldiers were asked to attend the event to demonstrate proper respect for the American flag. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Amy M. Lane)